System and method for storing and transferring information tokens in a low network communication

ABSTRACT

A system ( 10 ) and method ( 40 ) are provided permitting cookie files to be used with telephonic customer premises equipment (CPE) ( 12 ). The caller CPE ( 12 ) can be an intelligent telephone adapted to generate, store, transmit and receive cookie files. The cookie files can include information tokens describing a caller profile. The CPE ( 12 ) can provide a template cookie file upon request from a called party during a conversation between the caller and called party. The template file can then be transmitted to the called party and modified. The modified cookie file can then be returned to the caller CPE ( 12 ) for future use during subsequent calls to the called party. The cookie file can reduce the processing time of calls placed to automated dial-up service centers and also reduces its computer resources required by the service system.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to telecommunications,and in particular, to a method and system for passing information tokensto and from customer terminal equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many organizations and businesses provide services andinformation using telephonic interactive voice response (IVR) and/orautomated call distribution (ACD) systems. As is known in the art, thesesystems iterate a caller through a menu of voice prompts to gatherinformation from the caller. Typically, the caller can enter therequested information by either spoken response or touch-tone dialing.In the case of an IVR system, the entered information is used to providean automated service to the caller, such as the playback of pre-recordedinformation, or the automated sale of goods or services. In an ACDsystem, the caller information can be used to route the caller to aspecific, operator and/or to provide caller information to the operatorprior to servicing the call. Although conventional IVR and ACD systemsrepresent a significant improvement over manually-operated dial-upservice centers, repeat callers often find the interactive menus to betiresome and overly time-consuming. Specifically, on subsequent calls,repeat callers typically find themselves entering much of the same dataentered during earlier calls, such as their names, addresses, phonenumbers, and the like.

[0003] To overcome the problem of repetitive data entry, informationservice systems have been developed that store personalized informationof individual callers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,459 discloses an informationservice system that stores personalized profiles for callers. The '459system relies on a unique identifier received during call setup toautomatically retrieve the caller's profile. The profile can includegeneric information about the caller, such as name, address, or thelike, as well as particular information about the caller's previousselection or use history. Accordingly, the pre-existing profiles canreduce call processing delays and eliminate redundant data entry forrepeat callers.

[0004] However, the '459 system suffers a drawback in that it must storeand maintain profiles for a multitude of callers. This not only requiressubstantial computer storage resources, but also presents a problem ofmaintaining the data integrity of the profiles. For example, a caller,having previously used the service, may move, causing a change in homeaddress and phone number. This would require the service provider toupdate the caller's profile. As such, storing caller profiles within theservice system can increase operating costs. Accordingly, there is aneed for a method and system of providing an automated dial-up servicethat enjoys the benefits of caller profiles, but reduces the burden ofmaintaining and storing such profiles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The invention is pointed out with particularity in the appendedclaims.

[0006] However, other features of the invention will become moreapparent, and the invention will be best understood by referring to thefollowing detailed description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a telecommunications systemin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method of operatingthe system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram illustrating an exemplaryembodiment of the caller customer premises equipment (CPE) shown in FIG.1;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method of operatingthe caller CPE of FIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a telecommunications systemin accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a telecommunications systemin accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 7 is a detailed block diagram illustrating the caller CPEshown in FIG. 6; and

[0014]FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a telecommunications systemin accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The present invention relates to interactive telecommunicationsservices. To overcome the above described limitations of conventionaltelephonic service systems, the present invention uses a data file or“cookie” file in the context of the telephone service. A “cookie” fileis essentially a computer-readable data file containing informationtokens, which can represent caller information, preferences, or thelike. A caller customer premises equipment (CPE), such as an intelligenttelephone, can be adapted to store cookie files, create generic cookietemplates, and transfer and receive cookie files to and from remotedial-up service systems. The remote service system can be likewiseadapted to utilize caller cookie files.

[0016] A cookie file can contain generic information, such as thecaller's name, home and/or business address, phone number, e-mailaddress, or the like. In addition, a cookie file can be created andstored for each particular remote service system. In such cases, eachcookie file could include information pertaining only to the particularremote service, as well as the generic information normally included inthe cookie template.

[0017] An advantage of a telephone service using cookie files is thatrepeat callers would not be subjected to manually re-entering data everytime they call. Another advantage is that service providers would not berequired to store and maintain caller profiles. A further advantage isthat callers could easily update generic information in cookie fileslocally stored in the caller CPE.

[0018] Turning now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, thereis illustrated a telecommunications system 10 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The system 10 includes a caller CPE12, a caller voice-over-data (VOD) modem 14, a telephone network 15, acalled party CPE 24, and a called party VOD modem 22.

[0019] The telephone network 15 can include a public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN) 18, a caller central office (CO)16 and a remote CO 20.

[0020] The caller CPE 12 can be any terminal device adapted to store,transmit and receive cookie files, such as an intelligent telephone, avideo phone, a computer, or the like. An intelligent telephone is aterminal device that provides conventional telephony voice service inconjunction with computer-based functionality, such as the ability totransfer and internally store data files. The VOD modems 14, 22 permitvoice and data from the CPEs 12, 24 to be simultaneously transferredover the telephone network 15.

[0021] The CPEs 12, 24 can communicate with the VOD modems 14, 22,respectively, using a standard interface, such as an RS-232 interface, apersonal computer (PC) parallel port, a PC bus, a universal serial bus,or the like. The VOD modems 14, 22 can communicate with the COs 16, 20using a conventional analog local-loop, an integrated services digitalnetwork (ISDN) interface, or the like. The modems 14, 22 can includeconventional jacks or connectors for providing a detachable interface tothe telephone network 15.

[0022] The VOD modems 14, 22 can be implemented usingcommercially-available VOD modems, such as the MRi-1456 advancedsimultaneous voice-over-data (ASVD) modem, available from MRi (UK) Ltd.,of Wembley, England. Such a modem can be connected to the CPEs 12 or 24using a conventional peripheral components interface (PCI) bus.

[0023] The COs 16, 20 can be local exchange offices providingconventional telephone services, such as switching and call routing, tothe caller and called party. The exchange offices 16, 20 can communicatevia the PSTN 18.

[0024] The called party CPE 24 can be any telecommunications terminaldevice adapted to request and receive one or more cookie files from thecaller CPE 12. In addition, according to one aspect of the invention,the CPE 24 can modify received cookie files by adding, changing, ordeleting information tokens contained therein, and then returning themodified cookie files to the caller CPE 12.

[0025] An information token is a computer-usable representation of apiece of information. For example, a token can represent a name,address, number, letter, keystrokes, time, file name, software variable,or the like. A cookie file can include one or more information tokens.

[0026] The called CPE 24 can be a dial-up caller service systeminterfaced to the VOD modem 22 so that the service system cansimultaneously transfer voice and data over the telephone network 15.For example, the service system can be a conventional personal computer(PC) or communications server including an MRi ASVD modem card, aconventional analog telephone card for providing phone service to anoperator, and a software program for reading and writing cookie files toand from the caller CPE 12 via the VOD modems 14, 22 and the telephonenetwork 15. The software program can also cause the service system tomodify the cookie files, as well as store the received cookie filesinternally within the service system.

[0027]FIG. 2 shows a flowchart diagram of a method 40 of operating asystem 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Instep 42, a call placed from the caller CPE 12 is connected to the calledparty CPE 24. The call is connected via the VOD modems 14, 22 and thetelephone network 15.

[0028] In step 44, a conversation between CPE 12 and CPE 24 isestablished. The conversation can be a communications session betweenthe caller and called party involving the transfer of voice and/orcomputer data between the CPEs 12, 24. Next, in step 46, a request ismade by the called CPE 24 to establish a data connection for accessingcookie files stored on the caller CPE 12. The data connection can beestablished by a command issued from the called CPE 24 to its VOD modem22, causing the VOD modem 22 to initiate a data transfer session withthe caller VOD modem 14.

[0029] After establishing the data connection, the called party mayrequest a cookie template (step 48). The request can be a digitalinstruction transmitted by the VOD modem 22 simultaneously with a voiceconversation. Upon receiving the digital instruction, the caller CPE 12would respond by generating and transmitting a cookie file templatecontaining generic caller information (step 50).

[0030] In step 52, the called party can update the cookie template filewith information specific to the service provided and return the updatedcookie to the caller CPE 12. In step 54, the caller CPE 12 can store thecookie file internally.

[0031] During subsequent calls, the called CPE 24 can retrieve theupdated cookie file from the CPE 12. This permits the caller to foregorepeated entry of previously entered data or information tokens whensubsequently calling the service provided by the CPE 24.

[0032]FIG. 3 shows a detailed block diagram of the caller CPE 12 ofFIG. 1. The CPE 12 can include a microprocessor (uP) 60, a memory 64, amodem interface 62, a smartcard interface 64 and a bus 67. Also includedin the CPE 12 is a telephony circuit 68 for providing conventionalanalog phone service.

[0033] The microprocessor 60 can be any microprocessor, microcontroller,or the like, such as one from the x86 family of microprocessors fromIntel, Corp., or the PowerPC™ family of microprocessors from Motorola,Inc. The bus 67 can be a conventional microprocessor bus such as aperipheral component interface (PCI) bus, ISA bus, ESA bus, or the like.The memory 64 can be any type of computer memory, such as a randomaccess memory (RAM), flash memory, hard drive, zip drive, floppy drive,or the like.

[0034] The modem interface 62 permits the CPE 12 to communicate with theVOD modem 14. Although the modem interface 62 is shown as being includedin the CPE 12, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily understandthat the modem interface 62 can be included in the VOD modem 14 itself,or alternatively, that the VOD modem 14 can be included internallywithin the CPE 12.

[0035] Cookie files can be stored in the memory 64, or alternatively, inan external memory, such as a smartcard 66. The smartcard 66 can be anycommercially-available smartcard, contactless or contact, insertableinto smartcard interface 65 of the CPE 12, such as a Multi-Function CardMCF/4K, from IBM Corporation. The smartcard interface 65 can include acommercially available smartcard reader, such as the GCI400 SmartcardReader, from Gemplus, Corp. for reading ISO 7816 compliant smartcards.One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the GCI400 can bereadily configured to interface to a conventional microprocessor bus,such as the bus 67.

[0036] The telephony circuit 68 can include conventional circuitry forproviding analog telephone service. Voice signals received from thelocal-loop interface are converted by the telephony circuit 68 foraudible presentation to the caller. In addition, the circuit 68 canprovide standard end device functions, such as ring detection andgeneration, dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) dialing, line termination,power supply conditioning, and the like. The telephony circuit 68 caninclude an ARCOFI Chip, Part No. PSB2163, manufactured by SiemensCorporation. In such an embodiment, the ARCOFI Chip can be readilyinterfaced to the microprocessor 60. The ARCOFI Chip also provides aninterface to a standard loudspeaker 69.

[0037] The memory 64 can store a software program executable by themicroprocessor 60 for providing the functionality of creating, storing,and transmitting cookie files.

[0038]FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart diagram 70 depicting the operationof the CPE 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.The method 70 can be implemented using computer instructions included inthe above-mentioned software program routine executable by themicroprocessor 60.

[0039] In step 71, the CPE 12 monitors the modem interface 62 for acookie read-request transmitted by the called party CPE 24. Theread-request can include an identifier corresponding to a particularcookie file or template stored in CPE 12. Upon receiving theread-request, the microprocessor 60 can retrieve the requested cookiefile from either the smartcard 66 or memory 64 (step 72). The cookiefile is then transferred via the telephone network 15 to the called CPE24.

[0040] In step 73, the CPE 12 monitors the modem interface for a cookiefile write-request. A write-request is transmitted by the called partyCPE 24 indicating that it is ready to transmit a modified cookie filefor storage in the caller CPE 12. In step 74, the CPE 12 receives andstores the modified cookie file. The cookie file is received by the CPE12 at the modem interface 62. The microprocessor 60 causes the modeminterface 62 to transfer the incoming cookie file via the bus 67 toeither the smartcard storage 66 or the memory 64.

[0041]FIG. 5 illustrates a telecommunications system 80 in accordancewith an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In addition tothe components shown in FIG. 1, the system 80 of FIG. 5 includes aserver 86 communicating with the called party CPE 24 via a communicationnetwork 84. The server 86 can be a conventional personal computer (PC),or any other computer or communications server capable of storing cookiefiles. The network 84 can be a conventional local area (LAN) network,such as a TCP/IP-based communications network, Ethernet, Token Ring, orthe like; or alternatively, a wide area network (WAN), such as theglobal Internet, an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, SONET, orthe like. Among other things, the cookie server 86 permits the CPE 24 tostore backup copies of the caller cookie files for later use by theservice provider.

[0042]FIG. 6 illustrates a telecommunications system 100 in accordancewith a further embodiment of the present. Generally, in this embodimenta digital subscriber line (DSL) communication protocol is used inconjunction with the PSTN to provide simultaneous transfer of voiceinformation and cookie files. The DSL protocol can be eitherasymmetrical or symmetrical. The PSTN 106 carries voice information,while the WAN 108 can carry digitized cookie files. The system 100includes a caller CPE 102, a caller local central office 104, a PSTN106, a WAN 108, a called party local CO 110 and a called party CPE 112.Although depicted as video phones, the CPEs 102, 112 can be any terminaldevice adapted for using cookie files in accordance with the presentinvention, such as the CPEs 12, 24 of FIG. 1. The CPEs 102, 112 caninclude asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) modems permittingsimultaneous voice and data communication therebetween. Information fromthe customer premises is transferred to the local COs 104, 110 over aconventional twisted pair analog local-loop.

[0043] The DSLAMs 118, 124 can be implemented using commerciallyavailable components such as the FastInternet™ DSLAM system, availablefrom Orckit, Ltd., of Tel Aviv, Israel. Such a DSLAM can be interfaceddirectly to the WAN 108. The WAN 108 can be a conventional TCP/IPnetwork, such as the global Internet, an asynchronous transfer mode(ATM) network, SONET, or the like.

[0044]FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed block diagram of the caller CPE 102shown in FIG. 6. The CPE 102 can include an asymmetrical digitalsubscriber line (ADSL) modem 120, conventional analog telephone circuit122, a microprocessor 123 and a memory 124. The ADSL modem 120, memory124, and microprocessor 123 communicate via a conventionalmicroprocessor bus 126, such as PCI bus. Analog signals representing DSLdata and voice are received over the local-loop by the ADSL modem 120and analog telephone circuit 122. The ADSL modem 120 converts incomingsignals to digital data signals that can represent the cookie files,while the analog telephone circuit 122 is responsive to voice signals.

[0045] The ADSL modem 120 can be implemented using a commerciallyavailable ADSL modem operating in conformity with the Universal ADSLWorkgroup (UAWG) standard G.992.2, customarily known as G.Lite.

[0046] Alternately, a symmetrical DSL modem can be used in place of theADSL modem. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate,in such an arrangement, splitters are typically included in the CPEs andCOs to filter data signals and voice.

[0047] The telephony circuit 122 can provide the same functionality asdescribed earlier for the telephone circuit 68 of FIG. 3.

[0048]FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a telecommunications system200 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Thesystem 200 includes an advanced intelligent network (AIN) 202, thecaller CPE 12, the PSTN 18, a telecommunications switch 214, and thecalled party CPE 24. A first telephone line 216 and a second telephoneline 218 permit simultaneous calls at the called party CPE 24.

[0049] The AIN 202 includes a service management system (SMS) 204, aswitching control point (SCP) 206, a signal transfer point (STP) 208, aswitching service point (SSP) 210, and a service node/intelligentperipheral (SN/IP) 212. The AIN uses common channel signalling (CCS) forcommunication between the SMS, SCP, STP, and SSP. CCS is an out-of-bandsignalling method that utilizes packet-switched networking to allowmessages to be transported on a dedicated high-speed data network,separate from the subscriber voice and data communications path. The CCSutilizes the Signalling System No. 7 (SS7) protocol to send messagesbetween the AIN elements regarding call setup, line status, calleridentification, and other network services, including AIN inquiries. Theuse of SS7 in an AIN is well known to those skilled in the art. Also, asis known in the art, the SN/IP 212 and SSP 210 can communicate using anintegrated services digital network (ISDN) interface.

[0050] AIN elements, suitable for implementing an embodiment of thepresent invention are commercially available from several vendors andare known to those skilled in the art. For example, the functionality ofthe SSP 210, as disclosed herein, can be implemented using any AINcompatible switch, such as a 5ESS switch, available from LucentTechnologies, Inc.; the SN/IP 212 can be implemented using a CompactService Node, available from Lucent Technologies, Inc.; and the STP 208can be implemented using an STP available from Nortel, Inc.

[0051] In the system 200, data files containing information tokens canbe stored within the AIN 202 rather than at the caller CPE 12. Retrievaland storage of cookie files stored within the AIN 202 can beaccomplished as follows. A caller can initiate a call to the calledparty CPE 24 from the caller CPE 12. The call is routed by the SSP 212to the remote switch 214 via the PSTN 18. The called party CPE 24receives the incoming call over line 216. During call setup, calleridentification information can be transferred from the SSP 210 to thecalled party CPE 24. The caller information can include a 10-digit phonenumber identifying the caller CPE 12.

[0052] During the ensuing conversation between the caller CPE 12 andcalled party CPE 24, the CPE 24 can place a second call over line 218 toaccess a cookie file stored within the AIN 202. The second call isrouted by the switch 214 to the SSP 210 via the PSTN 18.. The SSP 210then connects the call to the SN/IP 212. The SN/IP 212 can include amodem for communicating with the CPE 24. During this second call, the.caller information about the caller CPE 12 is provided to SN/IP 212,which in turn sends a message to the SCP 206 requesting the retrieval ofa cookie file corresponding to the caller information and any otherparameters included by the called CPE 24.

[0053] Service logic within the SCP 206 accesses a database of cookiefiles according to the information received from the SN/IP 212. Thedatabase can be included locally within the SCP 206, or elsewhere withinthe AIN 202, such as in the SN/IP 212. After retrieving the requestedcookie file, the SCP 206 returns the information to the SSP 210 in amessage. The SN/IP 212, transfers this message, using a modem, to thecalled party CPE 24 via the PSTN 18, switch 214 and second line 218.

[0054] In an alternative arrangement, the CPE 24 can communicate withthe switch 214 using an ISDN interface. In this arrangement, voice datacan be carried on the bearer channel of the ISDN connection, whilecookie retrieval signalling can be carried on the signalling channel ofthe ISDN. This permits simultaneous voice and data transfer to/from theCPE 24. The CPE 24 can be adapted to transmit SS7 messages via the ISDNinterface. These messages can be directly passed from the switch 214 tothe STP 208 over SS7 link 209. The SS7 messages can contain callerinformation and information about CPE 24 for retrieving a cookie filefrom the SCP 206 specific to the CPE 24 and the particular caller. Uponreceiving the message, the STP 208 forwards the request to the SCP 206.In response, the SCP 206 returns a cookie file to the CPE 24 using theSS7 channel.

[0055] In another arrangement, the CPE 24 can be adapted to directlycommunicate with the STP 208. In this case, the CPE 24 can use an SS7channel (not shown) to directly send a cookie request to the STP 208,bypassing the switch 214.

[0056] Upon receiving the cookie file, the CPE 24 can modify thecontents thereof and return the modified file to the SCP database in amanner similar to that used to originally retrieve the file.

[0057] The CPEs disclosed herein represent examples of specificembodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, it will be apparentto one of ordinary skill in the art that the CPEs can be equivalentlyimplemented using hardware components only, software components only, orany combination of hardware and software components. For example, thefunctionality of the CPEs can be implemented using one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs), designed or configuredto perform the CPE functions as disclosed herein. Alternatively, the CPEfunctionalities can be implemented using a combination of discreteanalog and digital hardware components.

[0058] In addition, the CPEs can be configured to accept an article ofmanufacture, such as a computer-readable storage medium that containssoftware components in accordance with the present invention.

[0059] In sum, there has been disclosed herein a system and method thatpermits data files to be used with telephonic customer premisesequipment (CPE). Because the method and system as disclosed herein caninclude CPEs capable of storing and transferring cookie files, itreduces the burden of maintaining customer profiles at dial-up servicecenters. Moreover, since profiles can be stored in CPEs at the caller'spremises, the callers can readily update their profiles to maintain dataintegrity.

[0060] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is tobe understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedabove.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a communication network providing voice anddata services, a system comprising: an intelligent telephone, incommunication with a communication network, for storing at least onedata file including caller profile information; and a call servicecenter system in communication with the intelligent telephone, the callservice center system being capable of requesting the at least one datafile from the intelligent telephone, receiving the at least one datafile via the communication network in response to the request, modifyingthe at least one data file, and transferring the modified data file tothe intelligent telephone for storage therein.
 2. The system of claim 1,further comprising: a voice-over-data (VOD) modem operatively coupled tothe intelligent telephone and communication network.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising: a first central office (CO) switchoperatively coupled to the intelligent telephone; and a second centraloffice (CO) switch operatively coupled to the call service center systemand in communication with the first CO switch.
 4. The system of claim 3,further comprising a public switched telephone network (PSTN) providinga communication path between the first and second CO switches.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, where the intelligent telephone and the call servicecenter system each include a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein the communication network includes: a firstcentral office comprising a first telecommunications switch and a firstdigital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) both operativelycoupled to the intelligent telephone; and a second central officecomprising a second telecommunications switch in communication with thefirst telecommunications switch and operatively coupled to the servicecenter system and a second DSLAM operatively coupled to the servicecenter system and in communication with the first DSLAM.
 7. The systemof claim 6, further comprising a public switched telephone (PSTN)network permitting communication between the first and secondtelecommunications switches.
 8. The system of claim 6, furthercomprising a wide area network (WAN) permitting communication betweenthe first and second DSLAMs.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one data file is a cookie file.
 10. An intelligent telephone,comprising: means for receiving a request from a called party for a datafile including caller profile information; means for simultaneouslytransferring the data file and voice over a telecommunications networkto the called party in response to the request; means for receiving amodified data file from the called party; and means for storing themodified data file.
 11. The intelligent telephone of claim 10, whereinthe transferring means includes a modem.
 12. The intelligent telephoneof claim 11, wherein the modem is selected from a group consisting of adigital subscriber line modem and a voice-over-data (VOD) modem.
 13. Theintelligent telephone of claim 10, further comprising a smartcard readercapable of storing the modified data file on a smartcard.
 14. Anintelligent telephone, comprising: a bus; a memory, operatively coupledto the bus, for storing at least one data file including caller profileinformation; a microprocessor operatively coupled to the bus; aninterface capable of being operatively coupled to a telecommunicationsnetwork; a modem, operatively coupled to the interface and the bus, themodem for transferring the at least one data file to thetelecommunications network via the interface simultaneously with voicedata; a telephony circuit, in communication with the interface, forgenerating signals representing voice; and a software program routine,executable by the microprocessor, for causing the at least one data fileto be transferred from the memory to the modem in response to an accessrequest received from a called party.
 15. The intelligent telephone ofclaim 14, wherein the modem is selected from the group consisting of asymmetrical digital subscriber line modem, an asymmetrical digitalsubscriber line (ADSL) modem, and a voice-over-data (VOD) modem.
 16. Theintelligent telephone of claim 14, further comprising a smartcardinterface, in communication with the bus, capable of storing the atleast one data file on a smartcard.
 17. A method of transferring aninformation token file between a caller customer premises equipment(CPE) and a called party CPE, comprising: establishing a telephoneconversation between the called party CPE and the caller CPE;establishing a data connection between the called party CPE and thecaller CPE during the telephone conversation; making a request totransfer the information token file from the caller CPE to the calledparty CPE, the information token file including a caller profile;transferring the information token file to the called party CPEsimultaneously with the telephone conversation; modifying theinformation token file to produce a modified token information file;transferring the modified token information file to the caller CPE; andstoring the modified token information file in the caller CPE.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the caller CPE includes an intelligenttelephone.
 19. The method of claim 17, where the called party CPEincludes a call service center.
 20. A telecommunication system,comprising: a caller customer premises equipment (CPE) for storing atleast one data file including a caller profile; a first modem,operatively coupled to the caller CPE, for permitting simultaneous voiceand data communications; a communication network operatively coupled tothe first modem; a second modem, operatively coupled to thecommunication network, for permitting simultaneous voice and datacommunications; and a called party CPE, operatively coupled to thesecond modem, including means for accessing the at least one data fileby submitting a request to the caller CPE, during a voice conversation,to transfer the at least one data file.